Various gusset seals or treatments for reclosable packages

ABSTRACT

Reclosable gusseted packages or bags have improved resistance to leaking or spilling through the gussets by sealing the gussets together through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the zipper flanges together through apertures passing through the gussets in the package or bag, by folding portions of the gussets, or by sewing the gussets shut in areas proximate to the zipper.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/789,262 filed on Apr. 24, 2007, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference, and further claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/044,681 filed on Apr. 14,2008 and provisional application Ser. No. 61/057,036 filed on May 29,2008, the contents of both provisional applications are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improving the leak-proof orspill-resistant quality, as well as the breakage-resistant quality, ofgussets in reclosable packages, particularly those made with multi-wallpaper or woven polypropylene. This is achieved by sealing the gussetstogether through apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the zipperflanges together through apertures passing through the gussets, bysewing the gusset shut, by folding the gussets or by similar methods.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art of reclosable packages or bags, it is well known to usegussets between the front and rear walls to increase the capacity of thepackage or bag with only a small increase in the packaging material,such as multi-wall paper or polypropylene.

However, the use of gussets can increase the tendency for the contentsof the reclosable package or bag to leak from the gusset area proximateto the intersection of the package or bag walls and the zipper. Morespecifically, the contents can travel up the center of the package orbag, between the zipper profiles and out the gusset.

Additionally, particularly with packages or bags with heavier capacities(e.g., 15 pounds or more), it is important for the packages or bags tomaintain their integrity during routine impacts or environmentalchanges, typically as tested as described in application Ser. No.11/728,477 entitled “High Burst Zipper Assembly for Large ReclosablePackages” filed on Mar. 26, 2007, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate orreduce the leakage of contents of a gusseted reclosable package or bagthrough the gussets proximate to the intersection of the zipper profilesand the package or bag walls, as well as to eliminate or reduce thebreakage or tearing of the reclosable package or bag.

This and other objects are attained by sealing the gussets togetherthrough apertures in the gusset walls, by sealing the zipper flangestogether through apertures passing through the gussets, by sewing thegussets shut in areas proximate to the zipper, or by similar methods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of a prior art gussetedpackage or bag, showing the route through which contents mayinadvertently escape.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along plane 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along plane 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the expanded walls of the package or bagof the first embodiment of the present invention prior to theinstallation of the reclosable zipper.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the collapsedwalls of the package or bag of the first embodiment of the presentinvention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the package or bag ofthe first embodiment of the present invention after installation of thereclosable zipper. This plan view is likewise applicable to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 a is a more detailed plan view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 b is a cross-sectional view along plane 6 b-6 b of FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 6 c is an alternative cross-sectional view along plane 6 b-6 b ofFIG. 6 a, in the absence of gussets.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the expandedwalls of the package or bag of the second embodiment of the presentinvention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the collapsedwalls of the package or bag of the second embodiment of the presentinvention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the expanded walls of the package or bagof the third embodiment of the present invention prior to theinstallation of the reclosable zipper.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of the collapsedwalls of the package or bag of the third embodiment of the presentinvention prior to the installation of the reclosable zipper.

FIG. 11 is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the package or bag ofthe third embodiment of the present invention after installation of thereclosable zipper.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a first step in the manufacture of afourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second step in the manufacture of afourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a third step in the manufacture of afourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fourth step in the manufacture of afourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fifth step in the manufacture of afourth embodiment of the present invention, showing the finishedproduct.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a first step in the manufacture of afifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a second step in the manufacture of afifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a third step in the manufacture of afifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a fourth step in the manufacture of afifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a fifth step in the manufacture of afifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a first step in the manufacture of asixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a second step in the manufacture of asixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a third step in the manufacture of asixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a step in the manufacture of a seventhembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a further step in the manufacture of aseventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention,with the folded gussets shown in phantom.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the zipper inserted into the folded gusset ofan eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 31 is a plan view of an eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a variation of the twelfth embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicatelike elements throughout the several views, one sees that FIG. 1 is aplan view, partially in phantom, of a prior art reclosable package orbag 100 and that FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views thereof. Thepackage or bag 100 is formed from co-extensive front wall 102 and rearwall 104 which are typically formed from polymeric materials (such as,but not limited to, polyethylene or polypropylene, including wovenpolypropylene), multi-wall paper or laminates. Gussets 106, 108(illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1 and in cross section in FIG. 2) areformed as inwardly pointing folds between the side edges of front andrear walls 102, 104, typically integral with, or at least of the samematerial as, front and rear walls 102, 104. Gusset 106 is formed fromgusset walls 106 a, 106 b in an inwardly pointing V-shaped configurationwhile gusset 108 is formed from gusset walls 108 a, 108 b in an inwardlypointing V-shaped configuration. The bottom edges of front and rearwalls 102, 104 are sealed or otherwise closed or joined to form bottom110 or attached to a panel or bottom gusset (not shown). Mouth 112 isformed between the top edges of front and rear walls 102, 104. Zipperassembly 200 is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the upper exteriorof front and rear walls 102, 104. As shown best in FIG. 3, zipperassembly 200 includes first profile 202 and second profile 204. Firstprofile 202 includes first interlocking element 206 and first flange210. Second profile 204 includes second interlocking element 208 andsecond flange 212. First and second flanges 210, 212 are sealed, glue orotherwise secured to the upper exterior of front and rear walls 102,104, respectively. Typically, zipper assembly 200 includes slider 214mounted on first and second profiles 202, 204. Slider 214 operates in aconventional manner of interlocking first and second interlockingelements 206, 208 with each other when moved in a first direction andseparating first and second interlocking elements 206, 208 when moved ina second direction. However, alternatively, first and secondinterlocking elements 206, 208 may have a “press-to-close” configurationin which no slider is required.

As shown by the circuitous path indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, thisdesign is susceptible to contents within package or bag 100 traveling upthe center of the package or bag 100, between the first and secondflanges 210, 212 and out of the top of the gussets 106, 108. Thisleakage or spillage is illustrated for the first gusset 106 but isequally applicable to the second gusset 108.

This deficiency can be minimized or eliminated by closing the gussets106, 108 proximate to the zipper assembly 200 as illustrated in theembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention whereinapertures 120, 122, 130, 132 are formed in gusset walls, 106 a, 106 b,108 a, 108 b, respectively. When the gussets 106, 108 are collapsed asshown in FIG. 5, apertures 120, 122 align with each other so that aportion of front wall 102 contacts a portion of rear wall 104 throughthe aligned apertures 120, 122. Similarly, apertures 130, 132 align witheach other so that a portion of front wall 102 contacts a portion ofrear wall 104 through the aligned apertures 130, 132. When the first andsecond flanges 210, 212 of zipper assembly 200 are placed over front andrear walls 102, 104 and sealed thereto, front wall 102 is sealed to rearwall 104 through aligned apertures 120, 122 and through alignedapertures 130, 132 thereby closing the upper ends of the gussets 106,108 and eliminating or reducing the spillage described above. Thesealing can be heat sealing by ultrasonic or conduction, or can be byadhesive. Alternatively, grommets (not shown) can pass through alignedapertures 120, 122 and 130, 132. The resulting package or bag 100 isillustrated in FIG. 6. The parenthetical notations to numerals 118, 124,128, 134 apply to the extent that FIG. 6 likewise illustrates the secondembodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 a-6 c include furtherdetail or alternatives regarding FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention whereinapertures 118, 124 (in phantom) are formed in front and rear walls 102,104 respectively, so as to align with apertures 120, 122. Likewise,apertures 128, 134 are formed in front and rear walls 102, 104,respectively so as to align with apertures 130, 132. When the gussets106, 108 are collapsed as shown in FIG. 8, apertures 118, 120, 122, 124align with each other. Similarly, apertures 128, 130, 132, 134 alignwith each other. When the first and second flanges 210, 212 of zipperassembly 200 are placed over front and rear walls 102, 104 and sealedthereto, portions of first flange 210 are sealed to portions of secondflange 212 through aligned apertures 118, 120, 122, 124 and throughaligned apertures 128, 130, 132, 134 thereby closing the upper ends ofthe gussets 106, 108 and eliminating or reducing the spillage describedabove. The resulting package or bag 100 is illustrated in FIG. 6, as isthe first previously described first embodiment. Alternatively, grommets(not shown) can pass through aligned apertures 118, 120, 122, 124 and128, 130, 132, 134.

Additionally, a subset of the apertures illustrated in FIG. 7 can beformed. For instance, as shown in FIG. 4, some embodiments may includeonly apertures 120, 122, 130, 132 as formed in gusset walls, 106 a, 106b, 108 a, 108 b without apertures formed on the front and rear walls102, 104. Likewise, some embodiments may include only apertures 118,124, 128, 134, on the front and rear walls 102, 104 without aperturesformed on gusset walls 106 a, 106 b, 108 a, 108 b. Additionally, variousapertures illustrated in FIG. 7 can be omitted, such as 118 and 128 onfront wall 102 (or substantially equivalently, 124 and 134 on rear wall104, see FIG. 30). Similarly, apertures 122, 124, 132, 134 can beomitted as shown in FIG. 32, wherein apertures 118, 120, 128, 130 areshown, or, inversely, apertures 118, 120, 128, 130 can be omitted asshown in FIG. 33, wherein apertures 122, 124, 132, 134 are shown.Moreover, as shown in FIG. 29, apertures 122, 124 can be horizontally(likewise, and/or vertically) offset from apertures 118, 120(alternatively, one pair of apertures can be omitted). This causes aportion of an exterior zipper flange to extend through apertures 122,124 and be sealed to a portion of gusset wall 106 a and, likewise, aportion of the opposing exterior zipper flange to extend throughapertures 118, 120 and be sealed to a portion of gusset wall 106 b.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 30, aligned apertures 118, 120, 122 can beformed in front wall 102, and gusset walls 106 a, 106 b, respectively,while aperture 124 can be omitted, so that no apertures are formed inrear wall 104.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 31, first slot 230 can be formed on frontwall 102 and gusset wall 106 a and second slot 232 can be formed ongusset wall 106 b and rear wall 104. First and second slots 230, 232 arevertically offset from each other to so that portions of the exteriorzipper flanges can be sealed through the slots to the opposite gussetwalls. In most or all of these embodiments, glue is typically insertedwithin the gussets.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 29-33 are particularly well adapted tothe use of flanged zippers with sliders, with the flanges extending overthe various apertures, similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a third embodiment of the present inventionwherein thread or similar material is used to form first and secondstitched seams 150, 152. First stitched seam 150 stitches togethergusset walls 106 a, 106 b with the portions of front and rear walls 102,104 which contact the gusset walls 106 a, 106 b. Likewise, secondstitched seam 152 stitches together gusset walls 108 a, 108 b with theportions of front and rear walls 102, 104 which contact the gusset walls108 a, 108 b. Stitched seams 150, 152 close the upper ends of thegussets 106, 108 thereby eliminating or reducing the leakage describedabove. As shown in phantom in FIG. 11, typically, stitched seams 150,152 are formed in an area of front and rear walls 102, 104 which iscovered by the zipper flanges 210, 212.

FIGS. 12-16 illustrate the manufacturing process for a fourth embodimentof the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, gussets 106, 108 arelower than the top of the package or bag 100, so that the top portionsof front and rear walls 102, 104 extend above gussets 106, 108. As shownin FIGS. 13 and 14, gusset 106 is folded thereby bringing gusset walls106 a and 106 b together (similarly unillustrated gusset 108 is foldedinwardly thereby bringing gusset walls 108 a, 108 b together) and tapeloop 300 secures or seals the top edges of gusset walls 106 a, 106 btogether (a second tape loop securing or sealing the top edges ofunillustrated gusset walls 108 a, 108 b together). The tape loops 300could be made from the same material as the package walls 102, 104,possibly from the material that was removed to make the gussets 106, 108shorter than the package walls 102, 104. A rigid clip could besubstituted for tape loop 300. As shown in FIG. 15, zipper 200 is theninserted and sealed (such as by heat or ultrasonic energy or by otherjoining methods such as adhesives or rivets) to the interior of the topedges (or glued to the exterior) of front and rear walls 102, 104,immediately above gussets 106, 108 thereby forming the package or bag100 illustrated in FIG. 16. For bottom fill or fill-through-the-zipperapplications, zipper 200 would be sealed to both front and rear walls102, 104. However, for fill-behind-the-zipper applications, zipper 200would be sealed to only one wall, with the subsequent sealing of thezipper to the second wall after the package or bag 100 is filled withcontents. The zipper 200 typically includes end seals between the endsof the respective first and second profiles 202, 204. These end sealsmay be formed before or after zipper 200 is inserted.

FIGS. 17-21 illustrate the manufacturing process for a fifth embodimentof the present invention. Initially, as shown in FIG. 17, the front wall102, rear wall 104 and unfolded gussets 106, 108 form a rectangularshape. As shown in FIG. 18, three vertical slits 310, 312, and 314 areformed on each gusset—slit 310 being formed at the intersection or foldbetween the front wall 102 and the respective gusset 106 or 108, slit312 being formed in the middle of respective gusset 106 or 108 and slit314 being formed at the intersection or fold between the rear wall 104and the respective gusset 106 or 108, thereby forming upper flaps 106 c,106 d at the top of gusset 106 and upper flaps 108 c, 108 d at the topof gusset 108. As shown in FIG. 19, upper flaps 106 c, 106 d, 108 c, 108d are then folded down 180 degrees to abut the exterior of therespective gusset 106, 108. As shown in FIG. 20, as gussets 106, 108 arefolded, the faces of upper flaps 106 c and 106 d (shown as outwardlyfacing in FIG. 19) are brought together and sealed together, and thefaces of upper flaps 108 c, 108 d are likewise brought together andsealed together. As shown in FIG. 21, zipper 200 is then inserted andsealed (or otherwise secured, such as by gluing) to the interior of thetop edges (or glued to the exterior) of front and rear walls 102, 104,immediately above gussets 106, 108.

FIGS. 22-24 illustrate the first three steps of the manufacture of asixth embodiment of the present invention, which substitute for FIGS.17-19 of the fifth embodiment. Initially, as shown in FIG. 22 (similarto FIG. 17), the front wall 102, rear wall 104 and unfolded gussets 106,108 form a rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 23, two vertical slits310 and 314 are formed on each gusset—slit 310 being formed at theintersection or fold between the front wall 102 and the respectivegusset 106 or 108, and slit 314 being formed at the intersection or foldbetween the rear wall 104 and the respective gusset 106 or 108, therebyforming upper flap 106 e at the top of gusset 106 and upper flap 108 eat the top of gusset 108. As shown in FIG. 24, upper flaps 106 e and 108e are then folded outwardly and down 180 degrees into the gusseted areaof the package or bag 100, so that the sealing layer of the bag film isfacing itself. The gussets 106, 108 are collapsed so that the halves ofthe flaps 106 e or 108 e (folded about the center fold of the respectivegusset 106, 108) are facing each other, putting the halves in a positionto be sealed together. The zipper 200 can then be placed into thepackage or bag 100 above the folded down gussets. The folded downgussets can be sealed to themselves to form a robust seal along thezipper 200, while the zipper 200 will only need to be sealed through onelayer of film along the whole top of the package or bag. After filling,making the last seal is simplified again due to the gusset material allbeing below the zipper 200.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate steps in the manufacture of a seventhembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 25, vertical slits310, 314 are formed on each gusset similar to the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 23. However, horizontal slits 316, 318 extend inwardly from thelower portions of respective vertical slits 310, 314. Vertical slits310, 314 do not join each other and neck 320 is formed thereby retainingupper flaps 106 e, 108 e on respective gussets 106, 108. As gussets 106,108 are folded inwardly, upper flaps 106 e, 108 e are pushed inwardlyand downwardly so as to fold over the top edges of the respectivegussets 106, 108 and are then sealed to respective gussets 106, 108.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate steps in the manufacture of an eighthembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 27, gussets 106,108 are folded at the top so that the fold between gusset walls 106 a,106 b is redirected to fold portion 106 f which is parallel with theupper edge of package 100 and, likewise, the fold between gusset walls108 a, 108 b is redirected to fold portion 108 f which is parallel tothe upper edge of package 100. Areas 106 g, 108 g are open therebyforming a pocket to receive the zipper 200 as shown in FIG. 28. Lines106 h, 108 h show the folding of the gussets 106, 108, respectively. Thegussets 106, 108 are illustrated as being folded at forty-five degrees,but other angles, such as sixty degrees, are envisioned within thisembodiment.

Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are mosteffectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the inventionhave been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should beunderstood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and itsscope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

1. A reclosable package or bag including: a front wall and a rear wall;a first gusset between a first side of the front wall and a first sideof the rear wall, the first gusset including a first front gusset walland a first rear gusset wall; a second gusset between a second side ofthe front wall and a second side of the rear wall, the second gussetincluding a second front gusset wall and a second rear gusset wall;wherein a portion of the front wall and a portion of the rear wallextends above the first and second gussets; a first fastening devicejoining the first front gusset wall and the first rear gusset wall; anda second fastening device joining the second front gusset wall and thesecond rear gusset wall.
 2. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1wherein the portion of the front wall and the portion of the rear wallare brought together.
 3. The reclosable package or bag of claim 2further including a zipper attached to the portion of the front wall andthe portion of the rear wall.
 4. The reclosable package or bag of claim1 wherein the first and second fastening devices are first and secondclips.
 5. The reclosable package or bag of claim 1 wherein the first andsecond fastening devices are first and second pieces of tape.
 6. Areclosable package or bag including: a front wall and a rear wall; afirst gusset between a first side of the front wall and a first side ofthe rear wall; a second gusset between a second side of the front walland a second side of the rear wall; a first front slit between a portionof the first gusset and the front wall; a first rear slit between aportion of the first gusset and the rear wall; a second front slitbetween a portion of the second gusset and the front wall; a second rearslit between a portion of the second gusset and the rear wall; a firstgusset slit in a central portion of the first gusset, thereby dividing aportion of the first gusset into a first front gusset flap and a firstrear gusset flap; and a second gusset slit in a central portion of thesecond gusset, thereby dividing a portion of the second gusset into asecond front gusset flap and a second rear gusset flap.
 7. Thereclosable package or bag of claim 6 wherein the first front gusset flapand the first rear gusset flap are folded against the first gusset andwherein the second front gusset flap and the second rear gusset flap arefolded against the second gusset.
 8. The reclosable package or bag ofclaim 7 wherein the first front gusset flap and the first rear gussetflap are sealed to the first gusset and the second front gusset flap andthe second rear gusset flap are sealed to the second gusset.
 9. Thereclosable package or bag of claim 7 further including a zipper attachedto the upper edges of the front wall and the rear wall.
 10. Thereclosable package or bag of claim 7 wherein the first front gusset flapis sealed to the first rear gusset flap and the second front gusset flapis sealed to the second rear gusset flap.
 11. The reclosable package orbag of claim 6 wherein the first front gusset flap and the first reargusset flap are folded against the exterior of the first gusset and thesecond front gusset flap and the second rear gusset flap are foldedagainst the exterior of the second gusset.
 12. The reclosable package orbag of claim 10 wherein the first front gusset flap and the first reargusset flap are sealed to the exterior of the first gusset and whereinthe second front gusset flap and the second rear gusset flap are sealedto the exterior of the second gusset.
 13. The reclosable package or bagof claim 10 further including a zipper attached to the upper edges ofthe front wall and the rear wall.
 14. A reclosable package or bagincluding: a front wall and a rear wall; a first gusset between a firstside of the front wall and a first side of the rear wall; a secondgusset between a second side of the front wall and a second side of therear wall; a first front slit between a portion of the first gusset andthe front wall; a first rear slit between a portion of the first gussetand the rear wall thereby forming a first gusset flap; a second frontslit between a portion of the second gusset and the front wall; and asecond rear slit between a portion of the second gusset and the rearwall thereby forming a second gusset flap.
 15. The reclosable package orbag of claim 14 wherein the first gusset flap is folded against thefirst gusset and the second gusset flap is folded against the secondgusset.
 16. The reclosable package or bag of claim 15 wherein the firstand second gusset flaps are folded against a center fold of therespective first and second gussets, thereby creating opposing front andrear gusset flap faces which are sealed together.
 17. The reclosablepackage or bag of claim 14 wherein the first gusset flap is sealed tothe first gusset and the second gusset flap is sealed to the secondgusset.
 18. The reclosable package or bag of claim 14 further includinga zipper attached to the upper edges of the front wall and the rearwall.
 19. The reclosable package or bag of claim 14 wherein the firstgusset flap is folded against the exterior of the first gusset andwherein the second gusset flap is folded against the exterior of thesecond gusset.
 20. The reclosable package or bag of claim 19 wherein thefirst front gusset flap and the first rear gusset flap are sealed to theexterior of the first gusset and the second front gusset flap and thesecond rear gusset flap are sealed to the exterior of the second gusset.21. The reclosable package or bag of claim 19 further including a zipperattached to the upper edges of the front wall and the rear wall.
 22. Areclosable package or bag including: a front wall and a rear wall; afirst gusset between a first side of the front wall and a first side ofthe rear wall; a second gusset between a second side of the front walland a second side of the rear wall; a first front slit between a portionof the first gusset and the front wall; a first rear slit between aportion of the first gusset and the rear wall; a second front slitbetween a portion of the second gusset and the front wall; a second rearslit between a portion of the second gusset and the rear wall; a firstfront gusset slit in the first gusset extending from an end of the firstfront slit into the first gusset; a first rear gusset slit in the firstgusset extending from an end of the first rear slit into the firstgusset thereby forming a first gusset flap; a second front gusset slitin the second gusset extending from an end of the second front slit intothe second gusset; and a second rear gusset slit in the second gussetextending from an end of the second rear slit into the second gussetthereby forming a second gusset flap.
 23. The reclosable package or bagof claim 22 wherein the first front gusset slit is essentiallyperpendicular to the first front slit, the first rear gusset slit isperpendicular to the first rear slit, the second front gusset slit isessentially perpendicular to the second front slit, and the second reargusset slit is perpendicular to the second rear slit.
 24. The reclosablepackage or bag of claim 22 wherein the first front gusset slitapproaches the first rear gusset slit thereby forming a first necktherebetween, joining the first gusset flap to the first gusset andwherein the second front gusset slit approaches the second rear gussetslit thereby forming a second neck therebetween, joining the secondgusset flap to the second gusset.
 25. The reclosable package or bag ofclaim 24 wherein the first gusset flap is folded against the firstgusset and the second gusset flap is folded against the second gusset.26. The reclosable package or bag of claim 25 wherein the first gussetflap is sealed to the first gusset and the second gusset flap is sealedto the second gusset.
 27. The reclosable package or bag of claim 25further including a zipper attached to the upper edges of the front walland the rear wall.
 28. The reclosable package or bag of claim 24 whereinthe first front gusset flap and the first rear gusset flap are foldedagainst the interior of the first gusset and the second front gussetflap and the second rear gusset flap are folded against the interior ofthe second gusset.
 29. The reclosable package or bag of claim 28 whereinthe first front gusset flap and the first rear gusset flap are sealed tothe interior of the first gusset and the second front gusset flap andthe second rear gusset flap are sealed to the interior of the secondgusset.
 30. The reclosable package or bag of claim 28 further includinga zipper attached to the upper edges of the front wall and the rearwall.
 31. A reclosable package or bag including: a front wall and a rearwall; a first gusset between a first side of the front wall and a firstside of the rear wall; a second gusset between a second side of thefront wall and a second side of the rear wall; a first central fold inthe first gusset, parallel to the first side of the front and rearwalls; a second central fold in the second gusset, parallel to thesecond side of the front and rear walls; wherein a portion of the firstgusset and the second gusset are folded whereby upper folded portions ofthe first and second gussets are parallel to an upper edge of the frontand rear walls; and a zipper inserted into the upper folded portions ofthe first and second gussets.
 32. A reclosable package or bag including:a front wall and a rear wall; a first gusset between a first side of thefront wall and a first side of the rear wall; a second gusset between asecond side of the front wall and a second side of the rear wall; afirst front slot in the front wall and a front portion of the firstgusset; a second front slot in the front wall and a front portion of thesecond gusset; a first rear slot in the rear wall and a rear portion ofthe first gusset; a second rear slot in the rear wall and a rear portionthe second gusset; and a zipper with flanges which extend over theslots.
 33. The reclosable package or bag of claim 32 wherein the zipperincludes flanges which are attached to a portion of the exterior facesof the front and rear walls.
 34. The reclosable package or bag of claim32 wherein the first front slot is offset from the first rear slot andthe second front slot is offset from the second rear slot.
 35. Thereclosable package or bag of claim 32 wherein the first front slot isvertically offset from the first rear slot and the second front slot isvertically offset from the second rear slot.
 36. The reclosable packageor bag of claim 32 wherein the zipper includes a slider.
 37. Areclosable package or bag including: a front wall and a rear wall, afirst gusset between a first side of the front wall and a first side ofthe rear wall; a second gusset between a second side of the front walland a second side of the rear wall; a first pair of aligned apertures inthe front wall and the first gusset; a second pair of aligned aperturesin the front wall and the second gusset; a third pair of alignedapertures in the rear wall and the first gusset; a fourth pair ofaligned apertures into the rear wall and the second gusset; and a zipperwith flanges which extend over the aligned apertures in the front andrear walls.
 38. The reclosable package or bag of claim 37 wherein thezipper includes flanges which are attached to a portion of the exteriorfaces of the front and rear walls, and wherein a portion of the flangesextend through the aligned apertures.
 39. The reclosable package or bagof claim 37 wherein the first pair of aligned apertures is free ofalignment with the third pair of aligned apertures and the second pairof aligned apertures is free of alignment with the fourth pair ofaligned apertures.
 40. The reclosable package or bag of claim 37 whereinthe first pair of aligned apertures is horizontally offset from thethird pair of aligned apertures and the second pair of aligned aperturesis horizontally offset from the fourth pair of aligned apertures. 41.The reclosable package or bag of claim 37 wherein the first pair ofaligned apertures is vertically offset from the third pair of alignedapertures and the second pair of aligned apertures is vertically offsetfrom the fourth pair of aligned apertures.
 42. The reclosable package orbag of claim 37 wherein the zipper includes a slider.
 43. A reclosablepackage or bag including: a first wall and a second wall, a first gussetbetween a first side of the first wall and a first side of the secondwall; a second gusset between a second side of the first wall and asecond side of the second wall; a first set of aligned apertures in thefirst wall, a first portion of the first gusset and a second portion ofthe first gusset, respectively; a second set of aligned apertures in thefirst wall, a first portion of the second gusset and a second portion ofthe second gusset, respectively; and a zipper with at least one flangewhich extends over the apertures in the first wall.
 44. The reclosablepackage or bag of claim 43 wherein the second wall is free of the firstand second set of aligned apertures.
 45. The reclosable package or bagof claim 43 wherein the zipper includes a slider.
 46. A reclosablepackage or bag including: a first wall and a second wall, a first gussetbetween a first side of the first wall and a first side of the secondwall; a second gusset between a second side of the first wall and asecond side of the second wall; a first aperture in the first walladjacent to the first side, aligned with a second aperture formed in thefirst gusset, adjacent to the first side of the first wall; a thirdaperture in the first wall adjacent to the second side, aligned with afourth aperture formed in the second gusset, adjacent to the second sideof the first wall; and a zipper with at least one flange which extendsover the first and third apertures in the first wall.
 47. The reclosablepackage or bag of claim 46 wherein the second wall is free of aperturesaligned with any of the first, second, third and fourth apertures. 48.The reclosable package or bag of claim 46 wherein the zipper includes aslider.